EVENTS

02 November 2017 to 15 April 2018

MONEY - TANGIBLE SYMBOLS IN ANCIENT GREECE

The Museum of Cycladic Art and the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection, in their first ever collaboration, are organising a major exhibition entitled ‘MONEY. Tangible symbols in ancient Greece’.The exhibition presents a different side of coins, which first appeared in the late 7th century BC. During antiquity, the coin also had another use, one that is related to its iconography: it was a symbol as well as something that people could hold in their hands, it was a tangible symbol.The exhibition is structured along eight thematic units, in which 85 coins from the Alpha Bank Collection are exhibited together with 159 objects (clay vases, terracotta figurines, marble and bronze statuettes, reliefs, gold jewellery, measuring vessels, coins from closed assemblages and inscriptions) from 32 archaeological museums and collections in Greece, Italy, France and the United Kingdom, whose iconography is linked directly to each unit’s content.

09 October 2017 to 14 January 2018

SCIENCE FICTION: A JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN

Two years on from the "Digital Revolution" exhibition, the OCC joins forces once again with London's Barbican for a new show: "Science Fiction: A Journey into the Unknown", which explores science fiction's long-standing influence on the full range of contemporary culture. Get ready for a journey with science fiction as your guide: from the 19th century into the future and back to today and into the furthest reaches of the human mind.

A historical neoclassical residence in the center of Athens is activated by NEON for the initiative CITY PROJECT 2017. Velonis employs this historical site in order to reconstitute its history and significance in public, while simultaneously addressing new and unexpected relations between space and works of art that develop in such a distinct environment. The exhibition A Puppet Sun is curated by Vassilis Oikonomopoulos, Assistant Curator, Collections International Art, Tate Modern, London. In the context of the initiative CITY PROJECT, NEON commissions annually an artist to create a work of art exhibited in a public space for a specific period of time. Through this initiative, NEON aims to the presentation of contemporary art in public and historical sites, contributing to the interaction between art, society and the urban environment. The initiative is implemented for the last four years, with commissions to Zafos Xagoraris for his installation at a parking lot in the centre of Athens in 2016, Maria Loizidou at Kerameikos Archaeological site and Museum in 2015 and Aemilia Papaphilippou at the Ancient Agora of Athens in 2014. This new commission by NEON is the largest in scale individual presentation of Kostis Veloni’s work till the day. In Α Puppet SunVelonis develops an exhibition defined by new forms of relationships between space and the work of art, inventing an experimental form that corresponds to the unique site of the residence at Kaplanon 11.

Through painting, photography and sculpture the exhibition includes the work of 40 notable Greek artists who were inspired by the poetry of Seferis. Original manuscripts and first publications of his work will also be on display.

“Once upon a time” for the fifth year.... the most fascinating and magical Christmas all over the world is “fabricated” in the center of Athens!

This year, like every year, "The Christmas Factory" is returning in Technopolis, City of Athens, full of surprises, amusing games and countless gifts. From December 1st, 2017 to January 7th, 2018 “The Christmas Factory” will be open daily, from 10 in the morning to 10 at night, spreading magic and making fairy tales come true!"The Christmas Factory" never stops surprising us! Every year it gets brighter and warmer, with an even more festive decoration, imaginative workshops, unbelievable surprises, mouth-watering delicacies, exciting events, amazing games and above all ... with more free activities included in the entrance fee!

Accepting the invitation from the Greek National Opera’s then artistic Director, Stefanos Lazaridis, back in 2007 the famed British director Graham Vick devised a version of La Bohème set in modern-day Athens, transporting Puccini’s beloved opera from 19th century Paris to 21st century Exarchia. The faces of the four ambitious young artists and their camaraderie are known to all. Their problems, concerns, jokes were run of the mill back then; they remain so even today. Rodolfo’s ill-fated love for Mimi assumes an unexpected tragic dimension given that their tale could be played out in the apartment right next door; right among us. Vick’s version of La Bohème returns to Athens as part of a tribute to the great Greek director and set designer, Stefanos Lazaridis, whose term as the Greek National Opera’s artistic director was critical in improving the quality of the organization’s operatic offerings. The leading British director, Graham Vick, will be in Athens to work on the revival of the work, seeking out the bohemian friends in the current age, and in effect creating a new version of the production 10 years after its original presentation at Olympia Theatre. Internationally renowned Greek soprano Myrtò Papatanasiu makes her debut in the title role.

The Russian Circus on Ice will be in Athens for the first time this Christmas season, with its spectacular production of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale “The Snow Queen.” A cast of 40 dancers and acrobats will be performing in the show at the Faliro Olympic Indoor Arena, which combines breathtaking stunts, special effects and stunning costumes.

Shadowland combines multimedia, projected shadow play, and front-of-screen choreography in a wild evening of storytelling that is uniquely Pilobolus. The first shadow theater event of its kind to tour the globe, Pilobolus has performed Shadowland in 32 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and The Americas where it has been seen by more than 1,000,000 fans. Pilobolus pioneered this new form of shadow theater in advertisements for Hyundai and at the 79th Annual Academy Awards where it performed, through shadow, iconic images of the films nominated for Best Picture. Shadowland is a natural evolution of Pilobolus’s groundbreaking experiments in shadow creation. Developed in 2009 by Pilobolus’s directors and dancers in collaboration with the lead writer for SpongeBob SquarePants, Steven Banks, and with music by American musician, producer, and film composer David Poe, Shadowland is a universal and intimately portrayed experience that is both intensely dramatic and comedic.

Ηave you ever looked over the vast gardens of Athens' Agricultural University? Is there a place for contemporary art in a university? Have you ever imagined Athens as a green city, full of plants and trees? locus athens wants to reintroduce the people of Athens to one of Greece's first universities as an exciting urban landmark with considerable relevance to our present.The Geometries programme is a pioneering, months-long intensive cycle of sowing and harvesting which will take place at various points around the Agricultural University along an original contemporary knowledge and contemporary art route. Having been analyzed epistemologically and by means of technology, land, food, seeds, the ecosystem and other concepts connected to the primary materials of our Earth will be subjected to the gaze and analytical approach of contemporary art. Cevdet Erek, Celine Condorelli, Hrair Sarkissian, Marjetica Potrč, Diochanti, Athena Ioannou and Thanasis Totsikas are some of the artists who will be creating a new landscape in this exciting environment.

The interpretations of Spanish artist Victor Ramos and Erica Ponce (dance) and Sito Sánchez and Edgar Lopez Platón (singing, guitar) take us to the flamenco world since the kingdom of the Moors, Al -Andalus, to Latin America and Columbus today Andalusia, Spain. At the same time, dramatic action by Gina sad and narration in Greek by Vicky Nicolaidou open a window on the history, evolution and tradition of flamenco.

In Africa there is nothing more useful than rhythm. The pace allows you to do everything: to work, to celebrate, to mourn, to communicate, and relieve your soul. The African dance,carried out under the escort of African percussion (rhythm), it is more than an art expression. It is a lifestyle, a way of being. It works therapeutically through awareness and freedom of body connecting the individual with his own internal rhythmic power. The parts of the lesson is 1) Warming which is intended, unless preheating of the muscles, the release of the neck, the chest, pelvis, hands 2) Familiarity with the African dance through simple and basic steps. 3) Delivery choreography and song inspired by the tradition of West Africa. 4) stretching and relaxation exercises focusing on breathing.

Tajmahal began his music career in the Factory club 1992, in Lyon.In 1995, he became a label DJ with the legendary TRANSPACT, and as co-writer with ASIA 2001.This collaboration produced 4 albums, of which Tajmahal contributed to 3 or 4 tracks on each. He became label manager for ELECTRIK DREAM.Nowadays Tajmahal splits his time in between Chill out and Progressiv Morning Trance projects and also some More Electro/Tech/ Trance projects..

Depeche Mode tickets you’d ever want! In the beautiful Terra Vibe Park playing host to this epic concert, Depeche Mode IN Athens tickets are going to sell thick and fast, so make sure you’ve got yours

09 November 2017 to 04 March 2018

VAN GOGH ALIVE

The globally acclaimed “Van Gogh Alive – The Experience” makes its way to the city centre of Athens. Make no mistake – this is no ordinary art exhibition. Traditions of tiptoeing through unnervingly silent galleries and viewing paintings from afar in quiet contemplation are forgotten as visitors find themselves interacting with art in ways they never imagined. Van Gogh Alive – The Experience will stretch the definition of the word ‘exhibition’ as it stimulates the senses and opens the mind. And there’s no need to worry about the kids getting bored – the exhibition caters perfectly to both young and old. From start to finish, visitors are surrounded by a powerful and vibrant symphony of light, colour and sound that compels them to leave the world behind and immerse themselves in what has been called an ‘unforgettable’ multi-sensory experience. Van Gogh's masterpieces come to life as visitors experience the sensation of walking right into his paintings - a feeling that is simultaneously enchanting, entertaining and educational. Adults and children alike will forge their own paths and find their own meaning as they wander through the galleries, exploring hidden nooks, viewing artworks from new angles and discovering unique perspectives. Visitors have the chance to examine Van Gogh’s sources of inspiration via photographs and video displayed alongside his works. But for many, the greatest pleasure lies in simply standing still, indulging the senses as waves of sights and sounds, intense and beautiful, wash over them.

After his triumphant work Nekyia, presented at the ancient theater of Epidaurus with actors from Japanese Noh theater, Michail Marmarinos returns to the genre, though in a slightly different way this time. He has opted to stage a Noh theater work with Greek actors in a performance that retains the structure, stage conventions and complete look and feel of a Noh performance, but is not designed to imitate the genre. The set is minimal as Noh theater tradition and principles demand, but particular emphasis is placed on ornate costumes. Composer Philippos Tsalahouris, who wrote original music for the performance in light of the director’s specific vision for the work, has opted to place the main musical load on a small music ensemble. The chorus consists of 6 individuals and they will provide a vocal supplement to the work where the texts demands, primarily singing for solo voice with aspects of counterpoint and resonance not being ruled out. Yōkihi (楊貴妃) is a work attributed to the great writer Komparu Zenchiku, who was also an actor, director and great theater scholar and historian. The story goes that the lovely princess Yōkihi lost her life in the fields of Bagai. China’s emperor Genso, devastated by the loss of her beauty, tasks a sorcerer with finding the place where her spirit rests. With the aid of a villager he reaches Horai Palace (i.e. paradise) and the Residence of Great Purity. The sorcerer’s meeting with Yōkihi is spectacular. The sheer poetry is moving, stirring the emotions; truth and imagination bring time to a standstill. However, the sorcerer must leave. Yōkihi collapses in tears in the Tower of Eternal Life.

Nihilists and prophets, terrorists and revolutionaries, assassins and people committing suicide swarm the Onassis Cultural Centre. The vast fictional material of the Demons (1870–72) is adapted for the theatre by Russian director Konstantin Bogomolov (b. 1975), marking the first time OCC has invited a foreign director to work with Greek actors. The choice is no coincidence. Bogomolov was introduced to the Greek public with the five-hour adaptation of The Brothers Karamazov at OCC, which was enthusiastically received by both critics and the public. The production transported Dostoyevsky’s emblematic novel from the late nineteenth century to the salons of contemporary Russian oligarchs. It was characteristic of his sharp satire and his importance as an artist. The innovative Russian director returns to OCC yet again with Dostoyevsky. With his Greek team, Bogomolov will transport us to the dark universe of Stavrogin, Verkhovensky, and the rest of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s antiheroes. A polyphonic work of a borderline character, a political libel, and at the same time a philosophical novel of a confessional and sarcastic nature, the Demons focus on the activities of a cycle of young nihilists. ‘Dark instincts and ancient demons are unleashed from the innermost depths of our existence, and come to mislead us. Are these demons though our new gods, speaking of a new truth? Where will the search of a new truth lead us, to a new redemption or to a new version of fascism?’ Raising these questions, Bogomolov transports the actions of Dostoyevsky’s antiheroes from the provincial small town of pre-revolutionary Russia to contemporary Greece. ‘The birthplace of European culture’, he notes, Greece ‘currently finds itself at the heart of the political and economic crisis of this very culture’.

The Demons were never more contemporary, ‘Greek’, ‘Russian’, or universal.

The production based on Witold Gombrowicz’s Operetta returns to the Marika Kotopouli Stage at the Rex. Count Charmant is planning to seduce the beautiful Albertine. The success of the plan sets in train a sequence of unexpected and outrageous events in which fashion and revolution coexist and the corruption of clothing is in conflict with the innocence of nakedness. The inspired, subversive and timeless Operetta by the great Polish playwright Witold Gombrowicz adopts the lightness of this musical genre and debunks false political, moral and ideological authorities with merciless humour. At the same time, it exposes the absurdity of those who express and propound the superiority of simplicity and nakedness over the vacuity of each ephemeral fashion.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the performance is accompanied by English surtitles.

22 November 2017 to 31 December 2018

SLEEPING BEAUTY -

PONTUS LIDBERG / PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY

The dance version of Charles Perrault’s famous tale set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was first staged in 1890 and since then has remained exceptionally popular worldwide. The Greek National Opera, which has previously presented classic choreographies of the work, now presents an impressive new version from two acclaimed artists for its first artistic period at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center: the well-known Swedish choreographer, film maker and dancer Pontus Lidberg who has worked with the New York City Ballet, the Monte Carlo Ballet and the Dresden Opera as well as other major organizations, and the acclaimed British set and costume designer, Patrick Kinmonth, recognized as a multi-faceted persona in the world of the visual arts, opera, fashion, photography, with an extensive range of artistic accomplishments to his name, from British Vogue’s creative director to set and stage designs for operas and ballets for some of the world’s leading opera houses. Lidberg/Kinmonth’s version of Sleeping Beauty follows the tale as we move through the four seasons of the year, symbolizing birth, love, life, and death. This particularly impressive production with its brightly-colored sets, which dance in tandem with the dancers from the Greek National Opera’s Corps de Ballet, takes an utterly modern approach to choreography while engaging in dialogue with the style of classical ballet.

Βig and small children, performers, five composers, a writer, a director, and a narrator will sing old and new Christmas and New Year’s carols. Forerunners of good news, of celebrations and holidays, carols are a custom deeply rooted in our cultural consciousness. After ‘Turning World Myths into Songs for Children’, the Hellenic Project invites you to another special concert that bears elements of theatre. Composers will write new carols and will ‘play’ with old ones. They will sing about Christmas and the New Year, reflecting on the past but also putting forth the way they view this particular genre at present.

The River Party is the largest and most historic music festival in Greece! For 39 years in the beautiful natural setting of Nestorio Kastoria and welcomes every year more than 50,000 visitors ... Come and be part of history!!!!

Held this year on the island of the sponge, the beautiful Kalymnos between 22-26 August International Diving Festival, and the only Olympic freedivers and Apnea 2012.
Beyond the interest in diving, the race attracts are diving Skandalopetra with roots in Ancient Greece. Recall that Skandalopetra is a piece of stone, consisting of marble or granite, with rounded corners and streamlined shape. It weighs 8 to 14 pounds, and an auxiliary means of sponge diving since antiquity.

The public limited company "Greek Festival" was established in 1998 to organize musical, theatrical and other artistic events, the publication and distribution of printed matter, books and other publications and audiovisual matters relating to the promotion of the event. The company is managed by a seven-member board, whose term of office is three years. Since January 2007, the company owned by the Ministries of Culture (which is the supervising body), Economy and Finance. By 2005 the Greek Festival used as venues, the Herod Atticus ancient theater of Epidaurus (Theatre of the Asklepios and Ancient City Theatre) and the Lycabettus theater.

In Samothrace will take place this year dance festival Aurora that returns even bigger and more organized. Those who travel to the beautiful island of the North Sea late in August, will have the opportunity to experience one of the biggest electronic music festival. With seven-day period and a line up of over 120 artists from Greece and abroad, the Aurora, which will take place 23 - 29/8 Samothrace, you can enjoy whoever touched by psy trance sounds '90s. In a stunning location, surrounded by nature in the free camping on the island, will be set up the live and camp viewers. After 10 years created the first dance festival in Samothrace successful sola luna comes another festival to "disturb" the water! The ticket price is 100 euros and for the seven days of the festival. Advance booking has started from the festival site.